Leidos Defense Systems Sector is seeking a talented Configuration Manager (CM) SME to join a diverse team to create unique solutions for complex problems. With offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields. Leidos Defense Systems provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions.
Primary Responsibilities
The Configuration Management Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as the senior authority responsible for the strategy, governance, and execution of configuration and change management for a large, complex program. This role combines deep design engineering experience with advanced configuration and data management expertise to ensure accurate product definition, controlled change implementation, and lifecycle integrity from development through production, fielding and maintenance.
The Configuration Management SME provides technical and functional leadership over program-assigned Configuration Management Analysts, Configuration Management Data Analysts and Product Configuration Managers, establishing and enforcing standardized processes for configuration identification, control, status accounting, and verification in alignment with corporate standards, industry standards, program requirements and customer expectations. This individual is accountable for maintaining the integrity of product structures, including As-Designed, As-Built, As-Maintained, and As-Configured baselines, ensuring full traceability across hardware, software, and system-level configurations throughout the program lifecycle.
A key responsibility of this role is serving as the program’s SME in change and effectivity management. This includes developing and executing strategies for incorporating engineering changes into units in production and fielded systems, managing serial number effectivity, and planning phased implementations and retrofit activities. The Configuration Management SME ensures that changes are introduced in a controlled, efficient manner that minimizes disruption to production, supply chain, and field operations while maintaining compliance and product integrity. The SME will collaborate with program technical leads to develop product roadmaps and cut-in strategies for technology insertions and pre-planned product improvements (P3I)
This role works closely with program leadership and cross-functional teams—including engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, logistics, and customer stakeholders, to resolve complex configuration issues, drive alignment between design intent and delivered product, and support program execution objectives. The Configuration Management SME oversees Product Lifecycle Management system activities at the program level, including governance of product structures, item records, and change records (e.g., CDRLs, SDRLs), ensuring completeness, accuracy, and proper authorization.
Additionally, the Configuration Management SME is responsible for implementing and tailoring program CM policies and processes to meet program-specific needs while maintaining corporate compatibility for AS9100 compliance, leading audits and compliance activities, and driving continuous improvement of CM practices within the program. Operating in a dynamic environment, this role provides both strategic direction and hands-on leadership to ensure configuration control excellence across all phases of the program lifecycle.
Basic Qualifications:
- Relevant applicable degree plus 15+ years combined CM/DM experience and 5 years lead/mgmt. experience (Actual mgmt. experience preferred)
- Resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
- Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance in the future. (U.S. Citizenship is required)
- Candidate must have a minimum of 10 years’ design engineering experience on Government or commercial high component count or large assembly products
- Detailed knowledge of and ability to apply standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques of technical domain and develops solutions to complex technical issues and problems that impact multiple areas or disciplines.
- Candidate must have detailed knowledge and SME level experience in configuration change management principles and record types, along with managing product effectivities for both production and fielded items
- Candidate must have detailed knowledge of mechanical, electrical, software and other CM practices as detailed in SAE EIA-649 (series and associated handbooks), ASME Y14 (series), ISO 9001, MIL-STD-31000, MIL-HDBK-61, DODM 5200.01 (series), DODI 5200.48 etc.
- Candidate must have detailed knowledge and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools. (Agile PLM, Oracle Agile, PTC Windchill, Dassault ENOVIA, Siemens Teamcenter, Aras, etc.)
- Candidate must have detailed knowledge and experience with interchangeability as defined in ASME Y14.100, MIL-I-8500D and EIA-649 Series.
- Candidate must have detailed knowledge of bill of materials, technical documents, product drawings, 3D models, schematics, Gerber files, diagrams and specifications.
- Candidate must have detailed knowledge of mechanical and electrical/electronic Computer Aided Design (CAD) software such as CREO, Solidworks, etc.
- Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft office products (primarily Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Visio experience is a plus)
- Candidate must be proficient in Adobe PDF editing software or equivalent
- Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft SharePoint collaboration software
- Candidate must be capable of performing in a collaborative engineering environment working closely with multi-disciplinary teams, customer representatives and external contacts.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preference shown to candidates who have experience and/or working knowledge with:
- NDIA CDM, CMII or other Configuration Management/Data Management certification.
- Active DoD Secret clearance
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:May 12, 2026For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
Skills Required
- Relevant applicable degree plus 15+ years combined CM/DM experience and 5 years lead/mgmt. experience
- Minimum of 10 years design engineering experience on Government or commercial high component count or large assembly products
- Detailed knowledge of configuration change management principles and record types
- Minimum of five (5) years experience using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) tools
- Detailed knowledge of mechanical and electrical/electronic CAD software
- Proficient in Microsoft Office products
- Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance in the future
Leidos Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Leidos and has not been reviewed or approved by Leidos.
-
Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with multiple plan options, low office-visit copays in some plans, and access to mental health and wellness support tools. The availability of HSA/FSA options and employer contributions is positioned as a meaningful part of the total package.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as a strong component of total rewards, highlighted by a 401(k) match and immediate vesting in the standard package. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also presented as an additional long-term wealth-building feature.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle supports extend beyond core insurance, including wellness programs, fitness-related stipends, and assistance resources. Work flexibility and related perks are also included as part of the broader rewards experience.
Leidos Insights
What We Do
We Are Leidos For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world. OUR MISSION Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020. Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos. Your most important work is ahead.
